Zinc oxide particle preparation and methods of use

Abstract

A method of using ZnO particles for the treatment of colon cancer and a method of using the particles for reducing the concentration of an organic contaminant in an aqueous solution is described. The ZnO particles are substantially spherical and may have nanopetals that provide a nanoflower morphology. The synthesis and characterization of the ZnO particles is also discussed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for treating colon cancer cells in vitro, comprising:
 first forming ZnO particles by mixing zinc nitrate and sodium hydroxide in water and refluxing at 80° C., then cooling to form a precipitate and washing the precipitate to obtain the ZnO particles, then 
 contacting the ZnO particles with the colon cancer cells in a cytotoxicity effective dose, wherein the ZnO particles have substantially spherical shapes with diameters of 1.5-3.5 μm and BET surface areas of 15-25 m 2 /g, wherein the colon cancer cells are contacted with the ZnO particles at a concentration of 0.2-1 mg/mL to suppress the growth of the colon cancer cells by 56.62-72.86%, 
 wherein a surface of the ZnO particles has nanopetals of 50-200 nm thickness extending 100-500 nm from the surface, the nanopetals traversing the surface with lengths of 500 nm-2 μm, and 
 wherein the ZnO particles are porous with pore sizes of 20-35 nm. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ZnO particles are contacted with the colon cancer cells as a part of a composition, wherein the composition further comprises a food product, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, or an antioxidant. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ZnO particles consist essentially of ZnO. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanopetals have a thickness of 85-120 nm and extend 180-350 nm from the surface, and
 wherein the nanopetals traverse the surface with lengths of 900 nm-1.2 μm, and 
 wherein 80-99% of the surface is covered with the nanopetals. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ZnO particles are monodisperse with a coefficient of variation of less than 10%. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ZnO particles have pore volumes of 0.10-0.15 cm 3 /g.